Welcome and Call to Worship
Good morning. We are so honored that you have chosen to worship with us today. We are in our fourth week of a sermon series from the book of Acts titled “Bridges and Ditches” and we are looking at ways to build bridges and jump ditches in order to bring the message of the Gospel to our community.
Today we will look at some “crossovers” – some things that our modern world has in common with the first century – all in hopes of finding encouragement and help in sharing our faith with our friends.
I’d like to read a poem to you this morning titled “Return the Cross to Golgotha”
“Return the Cross to Golgotha”
Return the Cross to Golgotha
I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church.
I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles
But on a cross between two thieves: on a town garbage heap; at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek
And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse and soldiers gamble.
Because that is where He died, and that is what He died about.
And that is where Christ's people ought to be, and what Christ’s people ought to be about.
(Source unknown)
LET’S PRAY OUR “PRAYER OF MISSION” TOGETHER.
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Responsive Prayer For Mission
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your gift of life to each of us;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is death and violence
Wherever there is grief and loss.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your invitation to belong and find shelter;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets- Wherever there is loneliness and rejection Wherever there is homelessness and people displaced.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your reign of justice and righteousness;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is lawlessness or tyranny
Wherever there is corruption and oppression.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your sacrifice of love and mercy;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is hatred and evil
Wherever there is hopelessness, regret, and guilt.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, where we remember all that you have done for us, O God, we remember also your call to live what we sing and pray.
People: And so we commit to ourselves again to carry our worship from the sanctuary to the streets.
AMEN. COME LORD JESUS!
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BRIDGES AND DITCHES: THE BOOK OF ACTS FOR TODAY**
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN!
ACTS 5:33-42
Big Idea: Throughout the ages Jesus’ church has been flexible and adaptive in its tactics and methods but there are some crossovers which always seem to be present when the church is effectively winning the lost.
Supporting Scripture:
• Isaiah 43:1-13
• 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (Responsive Reading)
• John 9:1-7, 22-25
ACTS 5:33-42
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: …
38 … In the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
INTRO
The ditches are getting deeper and the need for bridges is getting more urgent.
• For the first time in our nation’s history less people can explain the simple Gospel than can. It used to be that even the unchurched understood the Gospel to mean: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). But not any longer.
• The number of people who say they never attend church has increased from less than 10% in the 1970 to over 25% in 2012 (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 2014)
As dark as this picture is … there is still plenty of reason for hope and excitement. You see, the success of our venture does not lie on the external and social conditions being favorable but on the power of God’s Spirit and the Good News of our message.
I have tried to show you that our day has much in common with the first century. There are many crossovers; particularly as it relates to communicating the Gospel. As I said last week, what we are (our character) is far more important than the procedures and tactics we employ but, even there, we find some principles that we would be wise to adopt.
As we look at these early Christians … there are four aspects in particular which they share with us.
1. LIFE WAS LIVED OUT IN AN EVER-GROWINBG URBAN ENVIRONMENT.
They lived in a culture, which functioned around cities. They will produce more breakdowns in society, more erosion of marriage, more escalation of violent crime. But that is where the gospel won in the first century. That is where it has to happen, in the urban centers of the world, which are growing all the time.
2. LIFE WAS LIVED IN A MULTI-FAITH CONTEXT.
The variety of faiths in antiquity was even greater than it is today. And the early Christians, making as they did ultimate claims for Jesus, met the problem of other faiths head-on from the very outset.
Their approach was interesting. They did not sit down and dialogue with other faiths very much, so far as we know, they did not denounce other faiths. They simply proclaimed Jesus with all the power and persuasiveness at their disposal.
They did not for a moment deny that other faiths possessed some of the light of truth. But Jesus was The Light, and he was proclaimed as such whatever the religious context of the hearers.
3. THEY EXPERIENCED A WALL OF REJECTION WHEN THEY SHARED THE GOSPEL.
Rejection was always expressed in the same way, of course. Sometimes it was downright hostility like we read a few minutes ago in Acts 5. At other times (probably more frequently) it was amused apathy as it was at Athens in Acts 17.
In either case we should not think that somehow it was easier then than now … no, rejection has always been a wall that we must scale … a bridge we must build and a ditch we must jump.
4. THE “DIFFERENCE-MAKER” WAS THE CHANGE SEEN IN THEIR LIVES.
And the thing that really made an impact among their apathetic hearers was the difference Christ made to their lives; what breaks through is the love and quality of their life.
(Michael Green, “Thirty Years That Changed the World” p. 38-41)
So there are some aspects that transcend the first century and merge with us.
There are also some principles that you can employ when you share the Gospel … principles that they employed too. Some of these are being discussed in the Wednesday evening class on personal evangelism but let me mention a few things here this morning.
They are “tools” and “tactics” that help us build bridges to those yet to be reached by the Gospel. They are present in most every situation where the Gospel is shared effectively.
1) THE POWER OF STORY … YOUR STORY.
In John 9 we have the story of a blind man to whom Jesus gave sight. Now this miracle stirred up a lot of controversy and hostility but there was one thing the opposition simply could not refute … the blind man’s testimony. “One thing I know” he says, “I was blind but now I see.”
When we receive Christ as Savior we enter God’s story of redemption. Our story becomes infused with the Gospel story and that is where our message lies.
In our day and age deductive arguments and apologetics carry very little weight. Truth be told, all our arguing and trying to convince people that the Gospel is correct (and they are wrong) is pretty futile … you see this in the first century too … Paul’s debate at Athens is a good example. This rarely produces fruit. But the one thing that will make people pause and take notice is a life that has been changed.
If you are looking for a basic bedrock principle of sharing the Gospel it starts right here – with your testimony – your witness to the account. Only you can share it as a first person eyewitness and believe me … people will listen to your story.
2) THE APPEAL OF SCRIPTURE
I know the Bible has fallen on hard times in America. It gets a lot of criticism and misrepresentation but did you know its still the number one best seller? People still want to hear from God and many still hold the Bible in high esteem even if they do not understand it or have questions about it.
Just look at all the Bible-related movies that have come out in the last year … there is a noticeable amount.
• The History channel’s “The Bible” (2013)
• Russell Crowe in “Noah”
• Brad Pitt in “Ben Hur”
• Sony Picture’s “Heaven in for Real”
• Christian Bale and Sigourney Weaver in “The Exodus”
• Peter O’Toole’s “Mary, Mother of Christ”
• Will Smith is reportedly doing a movie about “Cain and Able”
Fox News and Relevant Magazine dubbed 2014 “The Year of the Christian Movie.” The uptick in biblical movies is a testament to the ongoing power of those ancient narratives. The Bible's stories are an enduring draw, so Hollywood is doing what it does best — turning a buck by giving audiences what they want. But it also reminds me that, even today in spite of all those who say otherwise, the appeal of Scripture is valid and valuable.
The Bible is illustrative, illumanitive, and authoritative - even if it cannot be wielded like billy-club any more.
The scriptures point us to the person, character and salvific work of Jesus. It is never inappropriate to point people to its pages … in fact, I contend you have no other authority (other than your personal story) to offer. Jesus said, “The Scriptures … testify about me” (John 5:39).
I implore you, do not resort to psycho-babble, political-banter, or social-engineering. Please … PLEASE … point people to Jesus for he is the only source of life.
3) LOCAL CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS
The book of Acts tells us about the birth of the church. The Gospel is always communicated within a context of community and the book methodically shows how the church spread far and wide.
The church is not an optional force in the communication of the Gospel.
• It is the womb in which faith comes to gestation
• It is the nursery in which new believers are nurtured
• It is the schoolhouse in which disciples are taught
• It is the venue through which Christ-followers serve
The modern day, western spirit of independence is foreign to the Bible. The church is not optional.
Some say it has too many problems. Well, I contend that that is part of its beauty. You see we humans are damaged and messy and any time you get us together it can get pretty messy but God is found in the mess!
It is there, in the midst of the interpersonal struggles that we help each other to grow, learn to forgive, learn to be tolerant, and … and … experience other people forgiving us and being tolerant of us. You see “we” are the church. It’s not “them” that are the problem … “we” collectively are the problem (includes you). This is where the Spirit of God dwells and to insult the church is to insult Christ’s first love – the apple of his eye – his bride the church.
To say you do not need the church is to say you can do this alone which proves you, as much as anyone, need the church to help you see things Biblically.
If you take the church out of the Book of Acts you do not have a book. If you take the church out of the New Testament you do not have a New Testament. Every single book is written from within the context of the church and to the church.
I mentioned earlier that a Wall Street Journal article says less people attend church now that at any time in our nation’s history. Did you know there are other reports that show more people are lonely now than they have been for a long long time.
• We are trying to raise our families on our own … without the help of community
• We are pulling in the driveway at night, shutting the garage door and never speaking a word to our neighbor
• Mistrust with the community is at an all-time high … we don’t trust our neighbors so we shut them out rather than getting to know them.
The result is isolation and loneliness, and despair like is penned in this anonymous poem.
Where Do I Go?
(Anonymous)
Where do I go?
When I'm feeling so lost and I don't want to be found.
When I'm looking and listening for that peace in my heart.
But I know I'll never hear that sound.
Where do I go?
Where do I go when I'm trying to laugh but all I can do is cry?
I'm trying to keep on living because I'm not ready to die.
Where do I go because the sun never seems to shine?
Can you give me my life back it's not yours it's mine?
How do I keep going, how do I fight this fight?
I'm tired of feeling beat down, but I'm trying with all my might!
Where do I go when my head hangs so low?
Please give me an answer because I just don't know!
Where do I go?
Does it take very long for me to find that peace and a place where I belong?
I need you to help me, help me to take a stand.
I'm scared to do it by myself, will you please take my hand?
Where do I go? Where do I go? Where do I go?
Do you know?
The local church is a logical and natural tool to use to counteract the isolation and mistrust rampant in our society. Let’s take advantage of it … not only for those yet to be introduced to her but for our own sake as well.
Wrap-Up:
Communion
There are a few other ways that the church has always shared the Gospel.
One is baptism. Baptism is a dramatic portrayal of a life that has died to self, been raised in Christ and had sin washed away. It is a powerful way for every believer to tell his or her story of conversion.
The other is communion. It dramatically highlights the cost of our salvation – the death and burial of Jesus Christ and the hope that we place it his sacrifice to make all things right and bring His reign to earth.
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Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. Let us draw near to God as we partake of the Lord’s Supper together.
The Lord himself ordained this holy sacrament. He commanded His disciples to partake of the bread and cup, emblems of His broken body and shed blood. This is His table. The feast is for His disciples. Let all those who have with true repentance forsaken their sins, and have believed in Christ unto salvation, draw near and take these emblems, and, by faith, partake of the life of Jesus Christ, to your soul’s comfort and joy.
While gathered with his disciples, the Lord Himself took bread, blessed and broke it, then passed it to them saying: Take and eat. “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
After that he took the cup, blessed it, and passed it to them saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Let us all remember that this is the memorial of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus. It is also a token of His coming again.
Let us not forget that we are one, at one table with the Lord.
Father God,
in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Jesus’ offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died,
Christ has risen,
Christ will come again!
Say that with me:
Christ has died
Christ has risen,
Christ will come again!
Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and cup.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world,
until Jesus comes in final victory
and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ.
As we distribute the elements we would ask you to hold them and we will all share the meal together. If you have special dietary needs, we have gluten free wafers for you as well.
Song:
Communion:
The Bread we break is the Bread of Life
The Cup we share is the Cup of Promise
These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was broken for you, may it preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Take and eat this, in remembrance that Christ died for you.
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, may it preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this, in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
Let’s Pray Together:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
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** The idea, and much of the content, for this sermon series is owed to two books by Michael Green, “Thirty Years That Changed the World” and “Evangelism in the Early Church.”
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
First Church of the Nazarene
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
www.banazarene.org
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Responsive Reading:
“I Have Become All Things to All Men”
1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (portions)
Leader: Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
People: To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews.
Leader: To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law.
People: To the weak I became weak to win the weak.
ALL: I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
